On the 16th of November, millions of ordinary people across the world will be invited, en masse, to upload their authentic accents to assist professional, amateur - and even famous - actors, worldwide.
Thousands of people audition every day for stage and radio productions, as well as commercials, T.V. and film roles. When these actors need a specific accent (essential in capturing the essence of a character), who better to consult than us, the Real Deal.
UseMyAccent.com an introduction service between a) performers needing to perfect a specific accent, and b) ordinary people - the providers of those accents. Actors will send their lines, along with pre-agreed payment, to "Readers" - who will read the lines, using their native accents, onto an Mp3 file. The file is then returned to the actor providing perfect regional pronunciation of every word.
The idea is the brainchild of Gloucestershire based actress Odile Rault who came up with it when she needed to use an accent for her showreel. "There were a couple of words in the script that I hadn't heard spoken in that accent recently." she explains "I thought at the time: ‘If only I could get someone with that accent to read the script onto a recording for me so that I could check those words, and make sure the accent was accurate, it would be ideal.' When I realised I'd be quite happy to pay someone to do this, the idea behind UseMyAccent.com came naturally."
The all-important key to this service is that it is very simple, quick and affordable to use. Until now, when an actor needed to use an accent that they were unfamiliar with, they would generally have to learn the accent from a CD, a television programme, or a film. However, those methods would not provide actors with the pronunciation of the specific lines they would be using. This new service allows the actor to achieve spot-on accuracy in speaking each word, sentence or phrase in the genuine native accent.
Members of the public who wish to be part of this unusual launch, should simply register on the UseMyAccent.com website as a 'Reader'. Anyone over 16 can register, but each Reader may only register one accent - their own, natural one. This ensures that accents are 100% authentic. After registering, Readers will follow simple step-by-step instructions to upload a short sample recording onto their profile, which gives Actors the opportunity to choose the voice they prefer.
Readers are paid by the Actors directly, using PayPal, and although a Reader has the freedom to charge what he or she likes, the website suggests a guideline of $19.99 for up to 250 words. Actors will be able to leave feedback on the profile of Readers, to encourage good service. The more positive feedback a Reader receives, the better opportunity he or she will have to increase their fees on future jobs.
The service is not only marketed to professional actors, but to amateur dramatics groups and drama schools worldwide. In the UK alone there are over 2,000 amateur dramatics groups.
Membership of
UseMyAccent.com is completely free for Actors and "Readers" of all nationalities, worldwide. The site makes its money purely from advertising and sponsorship, and will encourage advertisers to include freebies and promotions for members.
The site also provides an "Open Mic Theatre" where professional and would-be performers/writers/musicians can apply to showcase new material for feedback from other members. One of the key aims of the site is to create a lively atmosphere where actors can try out that new accent they just learned, discuss The Arts inter-culturally in its virtual international coffee shops and make new friends and work contacts.
To find out more, or to register with the site visit
www.usemyaccent.com
